AS a star of stage, film and television, Brian Blessed is known for his irrepressible acting style.
But the veteran actor, who turns 80 later this year, will be on the other side of the lights when he directs the stage version of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery
The Hollow at the Mill at Sonning.
The production opened last night (Thursday) at the Sonning Eye venue — the start of an eight-week run that concludes on Saturday, September 3.
Blessed, who was recently appointed an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to the arts and charity, is directing both his daughter, Rosalind Blessed, and his wife Hildegard Neil, who is well known as a star of stage and screen.
Her most famous roles include playing Cleopatra alongside Charlton Heston in the 1972 film
Antony and Cleopatra, Eva Pelham in the 1970 psychological thriller
The Man Who Haunted Himself and Gloria Blackburn in the Oscar-winning film
A Touch Of Class.
Father and daughter, meanwhile, have previously worked together on the BBC soap opera
Doctors.
And speaking of medics... bullets pumping into the body of Dr John Cristow was the wish of many people, but who actually pulled the trigger?
Did the butler do it? Was it his wife? An ex-mistress? A jealous suitor? Perhaps the lady of the house, Lucy, isn’t as nutty as she seems? Is Midge, a young sales girl, hiding something? Let’s not forget the maid, Doris.
So, who did it? You decide. With the help of Detective Inspector Colquhoun, who will take you through all the clues. For
The Hollow is typical Agatha Christie — murder, mayhem and a lot of laughs until the culprit is eventually found.
Tickets, inclusive of a two-course meal, programme and parking, start at £53.
For details of show times and to book, call the box office on 0118 969 8000 or visit www.millatsonning.com
